California State Senator Ben Allen Says Hollywood Coming Back Due to Tax Credits

California State Senator Ben Allen says Hollywood is showing signs of life again … and he thinks Governor Gavin Newsom has a delicate act to balance.

Ben joined us on “TMZ Live” Monday, and we asked him about what a lot of folks in the film and TV industry in Los Angeles are feeling … that Hollywood is dead because of overregulation, and other places are luring productions away from California with tax credits and incentives.

The Democrat — who represents Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Torrance and other cities in L.A. County — says the concerns are valid … but he says a new bill he passed to increase the state’s film and TV tax credit program from $350 million to $750 million is already paying off.

Ben says since the bill, which he co-authored, was signed in June, more than 70 film and TV productions have gotten the green light.

Harvey Levin pushes back and wonders if this may be too little too late … but Ben says it’s an example of the slow and steady progress he claims California is making on a number of fronts.

We also asked him about Newsom, who definitely has an eye on the White House … and Ben tells us how Newsom can balance his leadership on a local and national level.